1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
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Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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Astronomers analyzing data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have uncovered a population of tiny, energetic galaxies that may have been key players in clearing the cosmic fog that shrouded the universe after the Big Bang.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
19 June 2025
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They are characterized by energetic mark-making, a profound understanding of color, and complex, absorbing compositions.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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But, Jackson pairs them with a matching black leotard and a floor-length trench coat, letting all the attention fall on the fiery red pointed pumps.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie Charles from Little House on the Prairie has a fiery spirit aligning him with the zodiac sign.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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But The Times reported that Depp became more animated when talking about his public battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard, which involved two messy, salacious court fights that focused on her physical abuse allegations and his excessive drinking.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
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And yet, no animated film has had quite the staying power as Spirited Away, which seems likely to make the overall list’s top ten and featured on the lists of Bryce Dallas Howard, Molly Ringwald, and John Turturro.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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And at this particular moment in time, there's a lot of spirited debate in the industry over how much of the process any one company should control.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
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A far cry from the spirited debates witnessed in some legislative bodies, the Parliament’s committee meetings are scripted affairs with a set order.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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For much of the day New Haven Green was filled with a Juneteenth Village and Marketplace, including loud and lively hip-hop acts.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
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The small but lively crowd of 14,312 at the Rose Bowl gasped in disbelief as Deossa and his teammates celebrated what instantly became a contender for the goal of the tournament — only to be possibly upstaged by his fellow midfielder Corona nine minutes later.—
Austin Green,
New York Times,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Set in 1987, Curves follows Ana, the spunky teenage daughter of Mexican immigrants, who begrudgingly works at her family’s dress factory in East Los Angeles, but has big dreams of her own.—
Caitlin Brody,
Glamour,
23 June 2025
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More spunky than saccharine, Elio spends most of the film wearing a bandage over a black eye.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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That early and incisive stance on monopoly power foreshadows the themes that animate Market Crafters.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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The objects appear startlingly animate, as if bodies and ethnographic specimens are hanging on display.—
Jane Levere,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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But housing advocates have been just as passionate about wanting to see more affordable housing in this area, particularly for seniors.—
Randy Mastro,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
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Argentine clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate have drawn huge, passionate crowds that serenade their heroes before, during and after matches.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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